What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gawp
Example
The child gawped in amazement at the magician's tricks. [gawped: verb]
Example
I don't appreciate people gawping at me like I'm some kind of freak. [gawping: gerund or present participle]
stare
Example
She stared at the painting for hours, trying to decipher its meaning. [stared: verb]
Example
He gave me a strange stare when I told him the news. [stare: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stare is more commonly used than gawp in everyday language. Stare is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gawp is less common and may be considered more informal or regional.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between gawp and stare?
While gawp is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, stare is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.